Proselytism

The English language word proselytism is derived ultimately from the Greek language prefix 'pros' (towards) and the verb 'erchomai' (to come). It generally describes attempts to convert a person from one point of view to another, usually in a religious context.

Related Topics:
English language - Greek language - Convert - Religious

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Many Christians consider it their obligation to follow what is often termed the "Great Commission" of Jesus, recorded in the final verses of the Gospel of Matthew: "Go to all the nations and make disciples. Baptise them and teach them my commands." The early Christians were noted for their evangelising work.

Related Topics:
Christians - Jesus - Gospel - Matthew

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In the Bible, the word proselyte denotes a person who has converted to the Jewish religion, without overtly negative overtones. In our day, however, the connotations of the word proselytism are almost exclusively negative. Nonetheless, many people use the words interchangeably. An Orthodox writer, Stephen Methodius Hayes has written: "If people talk about the need for evangelism, they meet with the response, "The Orthodox church does not proselytise" as if evangelising and proselytism were the same thing."

Related Topics:
Bible - Proselyte - Jewish religion - Orthodox

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The difference between the two terms is not easily defined. What one person considers legitimate evangelising, or witness bearing, another may consider intrusive and improper.

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Illustrating the problems that can arise from such subjective viewpoints is this extract from an article by Dr. C. Davis, published in Cleveland State University's 'Journal of Law and Health': "According to the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Jews for Jesus and Hebrew Christians constitute two of the most dangerous cults, and its members are appropriate candidates for deprogramming. Anti-cult evangelicals ... protest that 'aggressiveness and proselytising . . . are basic to authentic Christianity,' and that Jews for Jesus and Campus Crusade for Christ are not to be labelled as cults. Furthermore, certain Hassidic groups who physically attacked a meeting of the Hebrew Christian 'cult' have themselves been labelled a 'cult' and equated with the followers of Reverend Moon, by none other than the President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis". http://www.religioustolerance.org/cult_art.htm

Related Topics:
Cleveland State University - Hebrew Christians - Jews for Jesus - Campus Crusade for Christ

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Views on the propriety of proselytism, or even evangelism, differ radically. Some feel that freedom of speech should have no limits and that virtually anyone, anywhere should have the right to talk about anything they see fit. Others see all sorts of evangelism as a nuisance and an intrusion and would like to see them proscribed. Thus, Natan Lerner observes that the issue is one of a clash of rights - the right of a person to express his views versus the right of a person not to be exposed to views that he does not wish to hear.

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From a legal standpoint, there do appear to be certain criteria in distinguishing legitimate evangelisation from illicit proselytism:

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• All humans have the right to have religious beliefs, and to change these beliefs, even repeatedly, if they so wish. (Freedom of Religion)
• They have the right to form religious organisations for the purpose of worship, as well as for promoting their cause (Freedom of Association)
• They have the right to speak to others about their convictions, with the purpose of influencing the others. (Freedom of Speech).

By the same token, these very rights exercise a limiting influence on the freedoms of others. For instance, the right to have one's religious beliefs presumably includes the right not to be coerced into changing these beliefs by threats, discrimination, or similar inducements by the state and its agencies.

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Hence a category of improper proselytising can be discerned.

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• It would not be proper to use coercion, threats, the weight of authority of the public educational system, access to public health care or similar facilities in order to induce people to change their religion.
• It would be improper to try to impose one's beliefs on a 'captive audience,' where the listeners have no choice but to be present. This would presumably require restraint in the exercise of their right to free speech, by teachers in the public school classroom, army officers to their inferiors, prison officers in prison, medical staff in public hospitals, so as to avoid impinging on the rights of others.
• It would not be proper to offer money, work, housing or other material inducements as a means of persuading people to adopt another religion.
 
Proselytism: Issues involving proselytism ►